Time of the season to think of Santa

The election is behind us, and although the temperature outside might not suggest it, it's the time when many families, including my own, start to think about the holidays.

Since 1938, the T&G Santa Fund has aimed to make sure all children in Worcester County can experience some of the holiday magic that some of us take for granted. In these days of inflation and economic uncertainty, that mission is as important as it's ever been.

As the new editor of the T&G, I've been getting up to speed about this wonderful program, and I'm excited to be a part of it in 2022.

Along with our main partner, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and thanks to the generosity of our readers, the T&G Santa Fund delivers toys and books to children in need throughout the region.

In addition to helping spread the word about the T&G Santa, the United Way partners with local community service organizations to connect with our families in need. They assure that enough toys and books are ordered and delivered to brighten the holiday season for so many.

“For 102 years, our United Way has provided hope and opportunity for children in our community," said Tim Garvin, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. "By supporting the T&G Santa Fund, we continue this effort in new and impactful ways. I encourage readers to support this meaningful program to help bring happiness to children this holiday season.”

The annual drive for needy children was originally known as The Gazette Santa, and for decades, readers would flood the newspaper with envelopes containing checks or cash.

These days, many donations are made online. But the generosity of Worcester County residents has not waned. In 2021, the fund raised nearly $110,000 from more than 1,000 donors, resulting in 10,627 toys and 1,691 books going to 5,267 children.

Some of the largest contributions came from the Worcester Postal Credit Union Charitable Fund of Greater Worcester Community Foundation ($5,000); longtime supporter Steven Russell Bott and his daughter Cecilia ($3,300); members of Iron Workers Local 7 ($1,560); Gino DeFeudis ($1,500); IBA Inc. of Sutton ($1,325); the Venerini Academy Catholic school in Worcester ($1,300); and the Retired Men's Club of Greendale ($1,200).

Donations of $1,000 came from Brian Giandomenico, Lamoureux Ford of East Brookfield, the Samuel and Marianna LaCanfora Living Trust, Osterman Management LLC and the students and staff of Burncoat Middle School in Worcester.

In addition, there are always plenty of anonymous donations, usually delivered by “Santa’s Helper” – including one anonymous donation of $2,000 last year.

This year, in order to distribute the toys and books, we'll be working with 21 agency partners.

"We are grateful for the T&G Santa Fund to help bring toys to 400 children living in our Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments neighborhood," said Alex Corrales, CEO of the Worcester Housing Authority, one of five agencies participating in the program for the first time. "With this generous donation, we will be distributing the toys during our second annual toy distribution day in December. These toys are a tremendous lift to our families who struggle to make the holidays special for their children. With the support of the United Way and the T&G Santa Fund, we are able to make this time of the year, a little more special for our families.”

To do it, to leave no child disappointed, we need you more than ever. Costs are up for everything this year, and that includes toys. But I'm confident that we can count on the generosity of our donors and partners to make this a happy season for needy families once again.

Here are the ways you can donate:

• Go to telegram.com/santa to make a contribution using your credit cards.

• Print and complete the coupon at telegram.com/santa, and bring along with your donation to any Commerce Bank in Worcester.

• Print and complete the coupon and mail a check or money order to Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund, c/o Berkshire Bank, PO Box 15020, Worcester, MA 01615-0020.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: T&G Santa starts new season of giving for children in Worcester County